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☰
Austin Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Austin Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 4.1
Number of comments: 421 [displaying comments 371 to 381]
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L. F. from College Station, TX
(2/17/2003)
"Great marathon and fast course-even with the wind!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Motorola is a great marathon and has a great course through most of Austin and the UT campus. It is a very fast course with a net downhill from start to finish and very few small hills in the race. Most of the hills encountered seem to be downhills. The crowds were nothing like NY, Chicago or DC but then again, there's only 6000 or so runners. The crowds were more than adequate for me and the support crew is fantastic. Water/Powerade every mile and Clif Shot Gels every 4 miles. I will definitely be back to Austin year after year for an unforgettable event. | |
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C. T. from The Woodlands, TX
(2/17/2003)
"Fast times, poor support" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 If you are looking to run fast this is a place to do it. I ran the half and it is mostly run on a slightly downhill grade, the only exception being right before the finish line which was a bit of a demotivator and as it prevents you from building up a lot of steam over the last half mile to make a final kick in the last .1 M. The weather was pretty poor as temps never cracked 40 and as there was a pretty stiff wind (full marathon runners had to deal more with this). My only complaints were lack of information on the website, general lack of knowledge on the part of marathon staff, and lack of crowd support. Concerning final instructions, there was no printable information off of the website to take to the race (I live out of town) so I had to copy text off of the website, save in Word and download to my PDA. Also, no final race instructions in my race packet so I was unsure of what to do with respect to my clothes and bag at the starting line, where to pick up, etc. There was not even information about the shuttle service which is a must if you are running this event as traffic looked horrible near the start area. All of this was available online in pdf files and at the expo at Dallas and Houston. General knowledge of the marathon officials at the finish line was poor. No one could tell me where results or awards were to be found. Only after several attempts did I find someone with a book that outlined all of this that stated that awards are mailed out after the race. Also, crowd support was poor. I have run Houston, Dallas, and now Austin and I am sad to report that Austin has the worst support of the three. Houston dominates all TX in terms of support and Dallas had much better support over the entire course (a ton of dead spots - especially in the neighborhoods in the first half). The course is fast, however, and that is the primary reason for running this event. If you want great crowd support, a course that is close to as fast, and excellent organization you should run Houston. If you just want to qualify for Boston or want to run a really fast half Austin is the place to do it. | |
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P. W. from Houston
(2/17/2003)
"Organization very good, course needs improving." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The organizers are to be commended for their fine work, with ample volunteers and support, even in 2003's fairly miserable weather. The course, however, unchanged from last year, could be improved. My only real criticism is in doubling back on 6th Street, where the runners meet oncoming participants for a seemingly interminable distance going West (just about the time many of the recreational runners are hitting the wall) before retracing their steps coming back into town. If possible, it would improve the experience to lengthen the race slightly on the North side (more zig-zags just North of the UT campus) to avoid the Westward jaunt on 6th, or re-route the West bound portion of the course now on 6th to a route a little further north to avoid the double back. For example, the Northern portion of the course could remain the same, but wrap around the capitol and go West on 14th, before winding gradualy South (West of Mopac)onto 1st and taking the established route through the East side of town, accross the damn, etc. This would add one tough hill, but it would make the course, in my opinion, much more interesting. Overall, however, the race is well organized and the city, as always, continues to add to the experience. I enjoyed it, even with the cold and the gale-force winds. | |
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S. C. from Texas
(2/17/2003)
"Now it runs with the big dogs" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 No waiting at packet pick up now and many more port a pots. They took a clue from Houston and finished in the new events center with food, finisher jackets and (killer) medals handy. Family meeting section was thoughtful. Course remains scenic and downhill the first half with fantastic support Essentially the last kinks are worked out although the unusual west wind and the uphill at 24 combined to knock me back from Boston but not from my PR (25th marathon). | |
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M. C. from Just moved to San Antonio, Texas
(2/17/2003)
"Great race-until the finish." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Everything the race directors could control was great - until we got to the finish. This was my first marathon after an 11 year lay-off. It was a good one to run, even though I missed my goal by a little. Excellent pre-race and course organization. The volunteers were great, and the fan support was very good. I needed a port-a-pot on the out and back to Lake Austin, and had to run about 5 miles before I found one that did not have 6 deep lines. The finish at the event center needs some work. It was great till you got inside the building with your medal. I asked several volunteers about meeting areas and buses back to the start line, and got several different answers. Some signs and/or maps would have been great. They were in the pre-race packet, but I forgot to carry mine with me! I had to walk 1/2 mile and cross the race course to get to the bus because I was sent out the wrong end of the building. Also mob-scene with runners trying to go out and fans trying to come in the same door. 10 mins to go 20 feet. Having said all that, it was a great race - except for the wind, which even the perfect race team can't control. I'll Be Back to meet the goal I missed by a few minutes this time. | |
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Kris Steed from Vancouver, Canada
(2/16/2003)
"Great First-Timer Marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first half-Marathon and was impressed about how organized it was. Most of the Volunteers were extremely friendly (especially the ones at the water stations...continuous cheering!) Water stations were well stocked with Water, Powerade, Gels, and Vasoline. The course was a very fast course, mostly downhill for the first half and looked mostly flat for the second half. If you think you're ready to take on the Marathon world, this is a great course to begin with as the fast course combined with the well organized event will give you an experience to come back again. Thanks alot Austin, great event. | |
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Jesus Levy from Monterrey, Mexico
(12/30/2002)
"Great first marathon!!" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my very first marathon, and it was absolutely great. Everything is well organized, you have splendid environment and weather (started at 7:00 am on the mid 30's and ended by noon on the mid 60's), Most of the water stations have port-a-johns installed. Course is mostly descending, with the exception of a small hill getting to the 1/2 marathon marker, near Congress Ave. Last 5 miles are not very scenic, but cheerful support helps you getting to the end. Will surely be back soon. Excellent job from the Runner's World and Run Tex pace groups. Gorgeous city. | |
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A Runner from Georgetown, TX
(12/6/2002)
"Great!!!!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I have run 22 marathons and this is by far one of the most upbeat race I have run in along while. | |
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(Ernesto Caballero from USA
(11/1/2002)
"excellent and great organization" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is the first time that I ran Motorola and I felt like I was in home means my house inside Race director and team organization were around people (runners) til the event ends course is decent make your quads work really good the hotel well located close to the starting line elite runners well helped so I will strongly recommend this race for anyboby who is trying to run a marathon. I ll be back in 2003 just to make the cut for the trials. Thanks everyone who made possible this race specially the race director. As an extra comment I will say that I had plantar faciatis surgery back in Jun 2000 and my first marathon after that was Motorola 2002 and I ran a decent time while got my confidence back to run faster in motorola 2003 see ya in feb. | |
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A Runner from San Francisco, California
(9/27/2002)
"Awesome first marathon!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 OK, this was my first marathon (have done two since)and I must admit it was the best. For not being that large of a race, I was very impressed with the organization...before the run, during, and after. The course was relatively fast, had great support, and I loved the scenery. I recommend the Motorola Marathon to everyone...great for first timers and experienced marathoners. |
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